The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-03-17

salvation OF humanity by Divine agency, thro ign
the salvation OF individuals, was 10 him the
great end TO be obtained, but the means 10 thlA
end was q problem, the complexity OF
which rendered him, as he neared the close OF
his theological course, the victim OF deep de-
>pyession and doubt After leaving college ne
received q call 10 Lawrencehurg, Ind Thence
he was Gated to indianapolis where, Win ms
wife, whom he had married before leaving Cln'
cinnati, he lived a simple, wholesome hie OF tne
most intense activity. From Indianapolis, Nter
eight years OF happy ministry, he was calieo 70
Plymouth Church, in Brooklyn. He began his
pastoral duties in Orange street. Brooklyn on
Sunday morning, October 10, fS47.
The church TO which Mr.. Beecher had been
called owed its origin TO two facts In 1876 there
were but thirty nine churches In Brooklyn,
CITY then of-nearly sixty thousand Inhabitants,
and OF these churches but one was Congrega-
rational Tho need Of more societies OF this
denomination was obvious, and was met by
prompt action on the part OF several prominent
Christian gentlemen.
Reports OF the popularity and renown OF Mr..
Beecher, OF indianapolis, had already aroused
Eastern interest In the man and his preaohlhBs'
and through the influence OF his friend and al
vocate, Mr.. William p. Cutter. OF New York,
Mr.. Beecher, who was then in that CITY, was
NohCu W pTbSluc ~ Npoulhk Va NAN 49,
gregational Church in Brooklyn, May 10, 1877.
Mr. Beecher's discourses produced strong I'M
preston upon his audience, and at subsequent
meeting in June, lSi7, at which the name OF Fly
mouth Church was adopted, he was elected nnan'
imously by the society to tho pastorate' and an
immediate invitation was given him to assume
the position. In March, ls4e the pastor was Ia
ken with q severe illness, which confined MIN 10
the house for two months and disabled MN
from preaching until September, nor did he re-
cover his full strength until the winter. In
Jnne, 1880 the society, OF its own accord, gave
him leave OF absence TO visit Europe, and he
did not return until September. In 1888 the so
oiety, at the request OF o number OF eminent
clergymen and others, voted him leave OF ab-
sence TO traverse the country in behalf OF the
cause Of Liberty, then felt TO be in peril. In
June, 1883, the society requested him 10 revisit
Europe for his health, which he did, returningin
November. With these exceptions the pastor
has labored steadily at his post since 1871 at all
times other than the regular summer vacation
which lasts on the average six weeks,
Several inducements were held out to Mr..
Beecher to leave Plymouth Church, but in vain.
In 1870 Mr., Beecher was editor in chief and
principal owner OF the ChristidH Union, which
was then rapidly increasing It's circulation and
influence He had been formerly the editor OF
the IndepeadeHf journal OF similar character,
the editorial chair OF which he resigned in favor
OF Theodore Tlton.
What is known as the Beecher-Tilton scandal
is still fresh In the mind OF the newspaper
reader. Mr.. Beecher submitted the whole mat
ter TO .he investigation Of a committee consist
ing OF some OF the most eminent and respected
members OF his church and society, They re-
ported unanimously, after giving Mr.. Tiltonla
full hearing, that the charge was entirely false,
and this report was unanimously adopted by the
church and congregation.
Mr., Beecher's four children are all grown up
and married. His eldest son, Colonel Henry
Barton Beecher, is well-known insurance
man in Brooklyn. Major William C. Beecher
is lawyer and the youngest Herbert
Beecher, is Collector OF Customs at Port
land, Ore. His only daughter is married
TO New England clergyman, Rev. Mr..
Scoville. Mr. Beecher spent his sum
mers at his country home at Peekskill on the
Hudson Here his farm has one OF the rarest
and finest collections OF trees and shrubs TO be
found on any private American demesne.
Mr.. Beecher stood without rival as a pulpit
orator; he was an ardent lover ofnAture in all
her moods; his theology embraced all sects he
was wonderful social and political force when
he chose exercise his strength in these spheres
his style OF oratory was dramatic, but never the
atrical; his Intuition was rapid and accurate
his analytic powers never took the direction OF
distractions; he was intensely practical; his
personal magnetism was large; Illustrations by
metaphors and comparison came natural to him;
he had the keenest sense OF humor; in word,
he was giant among the intellectual giants OF
his day.